How to hide seems in drywall
Hiding the seems in a drywall wall can be a tricky task. Because it is nearly impossible to get drywall pieces large enough to cover an entire wall, hiding seems is an essential part of any home makeover or building project. While it might be smart to have a friend experienced with drywall help to get the project started, hiding seems is something most people will be able to do with little trouble. Here is a step-by-step guide to hiding seems in drywall.
Step 1
Once the drywall is securely fastened to the wall frame with either nails or screws, the seems created by two adjoining pieces of drywall must be covered. Using a paper tape (there is also a fiberglass tape or fabric tape which can be used but the instructions are slightly different), first cover the seem with plaster using a putty knife. Make sure to use enough plaster that the tape will be able to adhere to it.
Step 2
Using paper tape, place one strip over where the seem was between the two pieces of sheet rock and push it into the plaster. Some say that at this point another layer of plaster should be placed over the tape. While placing this layer of plaster, run the blade of the putty knife over the tape pushing out any excess mud that may keep the tape from laying flat. However, others say this second layer of plaster is not necessary and simply run their blade over the tape pushing it flat. Either way, care must be taken to ensure no bubbles are created.
When working with inside corners, it is important to use paper tape because it has a built in crease. Simply follow the same steps as previous, only this time a special corner putty knife must be used to ensure that the tape is laying flat and that no bubbles are created.
Step 3
Once the first coat of plaster or mud as completely dried, go over it with a knife and sand paper. Use the knife to chip away chunks of plaster that have dried and use the sandpaper to smooth out the plaster. Then a second layer of plaster should be applied. This time the plaster should be mixed a little thinner and should be applied with a putty knife that is a little wider (for example: if you used a four inch putty knife to apply the first coat of plaster, a six inch putty knife would work for the second coat. A third coat may also be applied, but of course only after the second coat has completely dried and has been sanded smooth. The third coat of plaster should be mixed even thinner than the second coat and applied with an even wider putty knife.
Step 4
Once all of the coats of plaster have been applied and have had a chance to dry completely, a final sanding should take place. This should be done with a less rough sandpaper to create a smooth finish. Also, be sure to run a damp sponger over all of the plaster to ensure the dust has all been removed before paint is applied. Make sure to use a primer on all plaster and dry wall surfaces so that the plaster doesn't show through the paint.
Fixing the seems on drywall may seem like a big undertaking at first, but with a little practice it can be done quickly and efficiently.
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Tags: drywall fiberglass tape paper tape plaster putty putty knife fabric tape sheet rock mud sand paper
